Cleaning / cleaner for hive boxes...

[mrpush]

Hi,

Newer keeper, and wondering what household cleaners are safe to use to clean boxes / bottom boards?

They are just gunky with some mold and mildew and ya know, some mouse excraments. This is equipment currently out of service. I know bees do a good cleaning inside, but I want to be proactive.

Bleach? Other? Wet and forget?

What's best and will not be nasty or leave residue to harm repel bees if used inside and out?

Thanks,

MP

[beeware10]

Clorox & water

[PCM]

What was the health of the previous bees ?

A first lesson, becareful of used equiptment !

May need to be scorthed on the inside to be safe, best bet.

Diluted household bleach and a good scrub brush, leave air dry in the sun for a few days, should be sufficient, IF no diease.

PCM

[sqkcrk]

A hive tool is all I ever use. Just scrape the BBs or supers and reuse. Bees propolis surfaces. Propolis is antiseptic.

[pine_ridge_farms]

Scrape it clean with a hive tool and give it to the bees.

[heaflaw]

The word "dirty" has a different meaning for bees than for humans. I would use clorox only because of jthe mouse excrement-otherwise just scrape it off somewhat and forget it.

[aprici]

Scrape gunk off then I use a 10% bleach solution. Spray it on, let it work a bit, rinse it off. Let it air out and dry for 24 hours. Kills all the mold. It's worked well for me.

[Kingfisher Apiaries]

You can use bleach...randy oliver gave me the ratios and I cannot remember them off the top of my head.
I only use bleach on plastic hive parts. I use a large propane brush burner for boxes.

mike

[max2]

Dirty equipment - yes, the bees know what to do but WE like it to look nice!
I use Sugar Soap and a rinse. Takes away the dirt and the bees have never complained.